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I witnessed the good that comes from being a connector and organizer of people as they worked together to learn new tools last week during Ohio Farm Bureau’s beginning blogger workshop in Wilmington.
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Porteus is a former OFBF president and Seger is an ag communcations major.
More than 55 property and liability enhancements have been added to the base policy at no additional cost.
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Many Ohio counties defined as “rural” by methods applied by the State of Ohio and other agencies, are excluded under Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s current definition, which has ramifications for farmers seeking certain types of mortgages. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Rep. Bob Latta have led other members of Ohio’s congressional delegation in reaching out to CFPB on this issue.
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Many are unaware that open burning is regulated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency under its air pollution abatement duties. As part of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Legal Information Series, members may request a digital copy of an open burning brochure to help farmers stay on the right side of the law when it comes to burning waste.
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Ohio Farm Bureau priority issues have been addressed in both the House and Senate versions of the state budget bills. Yesterday, the Ohio Senate passed its version of the budget which will now be sent on to conference committee, to iron out differences with the House version. Listen to Brandon Kern discuss the budget bill and Farm Bureau priorities in them.
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Dr. Leah C. Dorman shares her thoughts about her first time hosting a web meeting, and how Ohio farmers can get all the details on the new Animal ID requirements.
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Mahoning Valley's finest chefs have paired up with local farmers to share the best the region has to offer. Ohio Farm Bureau's Ty Kellogg shares why partnerships like this go beyond food.
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Ohio has become an epicenter for oil and gas leasing and drilling activity. Many landowners are faced with leases and legal documents for resources they may not have realized existed on their property. Here are five tips to consider from Ohio Farm Bureau’s brochure, “A Landowner Guide to Oil and Gas Leasing.”
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Though the Senate deliberated on the Farm Bill for four days this week, time did not allow for the bill to be voted on before the Memorial Day break. Farm Bureau opposed an amendment to reduce the crop insurance premium subsidy, however, the amendment passed by a vote of 59-33. Farm Bureau will continue to work for the protection of crop insurance as a risk management tool in this Farm Bill.
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The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has passed Immigration Reform that creates a new legal status for agricultural workers: a Blue Card.
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Energy development projects are popping up very quickly across Ohio, particularly pipeline projects. Learn what you can do to prepare for situations like the ones being seen across the state right now.
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Do you know someone who has positively developed or enhanced relationships between neighbors in Ohio’s farm communities? The Ohio Livestock Coalition, in partnership with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Farm Credit Mid-America, is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Neighbor of the Year awards, which recognizes two rural residents – one farmer and one non-farmer.
Four Ohioans who have committed their lives to working in, promoting and advocating for Ohio’s farm and agribusiness community will be honored Aug. 2 by the Ohio Agricultural Council, when they are inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame.
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The Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Agriculture have both marked up and reported out Farm Bills this week. Both bills passed respective committees. It is anticipated that the Senate bill will have floor consideration by the full Senate next week. The House has not yet scheduled the bill for a floor vote but the ultimate deadline is September 30 when the current 9-month extension of the 2008 Farm Bill expires.
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When I’m assigned to visit a farm and capture a story about Ohio agriculture, I find things work best when I generally stay out of the way. That’s especially true when the story is about rounding up a few thousand-pound animals that were intentionally set loose.
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Many farmers utilize all purpose vehicles (APV) or all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on their farms. While APVs can be extremely helpful to farmers, they can also create problems when they are used to trespass on farm property. Ohio Farm Bureau has a brochure available to members in its legal information series that covers issues related to APVs that farmers may encounter.
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Farmers are in fields, neighbors are in gardens, and Ohio's county Farm Bureaus are gearing up for a summer full of activities. Catch up with what's happening this month.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced that farm payments, which had been temporarily suspended due to sequestration, resumed May 8.
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Networking and staying involved in the farming community are key for young people in the agriculture industry. Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals (YAP) program for 18 to 35-year-olds, provides many opportunities for young people in agriculture to further develop themselves.
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With the window to respond to the 2012 Census of Agriculture officially closing May 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is urging farmers and ranchers not to miss this opportunity to be counted and help determine the future of farming in America.
Planting season is fully underway in Ohio. Here's a peek at updates directly from Ohio farmers as they work to get their crops in the ground.
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Springtime means that farmers are busy with preparing for and starting planting. Ohio State University’s Ag Safety and Health Program's Health and Safety Coordinator Kent McGuire recently shared some reminders and information to keep farmers and others safe on the farm, and around farm equipment.
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The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation issued the following statement following the launch of a new Ohio initiative by the Washington D.C. -based Humane Society of the United States.
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Yvonne Lesicko, senior director of legislative and regulatory policy, discusses Farm Bureau concerns with federal tax reform that were addressed with working groups of the House Ways and Means Committee.
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced his intent to transfer $156 million from the direct payment program to several other Farm Service Agency programs due to sequestration cuts. Yvonne Lesicko, senior director of legislative and regulatory policy, discusses this announcement.
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Yvonne Lesicko, OFBF senior director of legislative and regulatory affairs, discusses where Farm Bill progress stands.
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Senior Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Yvonne Lesicko gives an update on immigration reform and the inclusion of solutions for agriculture in the recently introduced immigration reform bill.
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Vice President of the Center for Food and Animal Issues Mike Bumgarner recognizes Dr. Leah Dorman, director of food programs, for receiving the National Institute for Animal Agriculture's 2013 President's Award.
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Director of Political Education Doug Foxx discusses several events recently sponsored by AGGPAC, and shares how members can keep the lines of communication open and work toward creating stronger relationships with government officials.
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The May 10 deadline for farmers to have completed a Spill Prevention, Containment and Control Plan (SPCC) is quickly approaching, but EPA will not enforce this rule on farms until Sept. 30.
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Ohio State agricultural communication student and Collegiate Young Farmers’ Farm Bureau Liaison Kelly Fager explains why she is involved in the club and the goals the officers set for the club in the upcoming year.
Nationwide explains how to apply ergonomics to farm work, to reduce stress on the body and increase safety.
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Lawmakers are now examining Gov. John Kasich’s broad tax reform proposal. The budget bill calls for significant changes to Ohio’s tax structure and many voices will be weighing in on the debate to determine where the money will come from to fund state government programs.
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Dealing with government can be intimidating. But public participation is necessary to ensure policymakers understand the needs of their constituents, that rules are reasonable and programs are responsive to taxpayers. That’s where Farm Bureau can help. It provides its members with a number of opportunities to connect with public officials, to learn about laws and regulations and to shape the debate. The organization’s grassroots process gives it its credibility and its power.
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Ohio Farm Bureau’s Community Council program provides an opportunity for Farm Bureau members to come together to discuss local issues and then take action. Here’s an example of how the Farmers R Us Community Council, made up of seven couples in Van Wert County, took on Ag in the Classroom as one of their community activities for the year.
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Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute and high school agricultural education are facing big changes. Farmers are passionate about these programs and will need to get engaged with local school districts and legislators to determine if proposed changes will be beneficial or detrimental to local programs.
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Farm Bureau members across the state are passionate about bringing awareness of agriculture to students who do not live on a farm. Some ways they do this includes in-class demonstrations, using technology for distance learning or hosting field trips for students. Here are two examples of recent agricultural awareness programs with schools.
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Last week five recent Ohio Farm Bureau interns were recognized for their achievements at the Kentucky Derby themed Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Recognition Banquet. They also were all prominently featured as part of the committee who planned and executed the elaborate event..
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Communications Specialist and Wilmington College graduate Chip Nelson shares how cooperative efforts between Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the college are helping boost the local economy and provide a stronger future for students and Ohio agriculture.
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An overview of what is going on with draft nutrient management legislation, what Farm Bureau thinks and how we got here.
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Farm Bureau members are asked to remind lawmakers of the direct link between water quality and the amount of state money invested in OSU Extension, ATI and OARDC, the Ohio Sea Grant program, the National Center of Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University, Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Soil and Water Resources.
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As spring heats up, farmers are hitting the fields, and county Farm Bureaus are gearing up for warm weather events and activities. Check out what’s being offered throughout the state in the coming weeks.
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AgriPOWER Institute Class V has graduated. Ohio Farm Bureau's Callie Wells, member of Class V, provides her thoughts on the relationships built and value of the leadership program.
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Advisory teams met March 26 to discuss top issues facing agriculture in Ohio, and suggest policies and programs Ohio Farm Bureau should support. In an audio clip accompanying her column, Director of Commodity Relations Sandy Kuhn explains what the Advisory Teams are and their purpose.
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Ohio Farm Bureau invites members to full-day workshops devoted to blogging for beginners and more advanced users.
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Have you ever wondered what it means that Farm Bureau is a “grassroots organization?” This is the time of year to be reminded of the organization’s grassroots policy development process and to get involved in it. Butler County Farm Bureau's work on policy development serves as an example of the beginning of the Farm Bureau grassroots policy development process.
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Ohio Farm Bureau's Darrell Rubel provides part two of his thoughts on a unique and engaging conversation about food hosted by Ohio State University's Collegiate Young Farmers.
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Ohio Farm Bureau's Darrell Rubel provides his thoughts on a unique and engaging conversation about food hosted by Ohio State University's Collegiate Young Farmers.
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Ohio Farm Bureau supports Senate Bill 66 which would make several changes to Ohio’s indemnity program, including an increase in the fund cap to $15 million. The bill has passed a Senate floor vote and is now headed to the House Agriculture committee. Currently the indemnity fund is statutorily capped at $10 million, but since the last fund cap, corn prices have increased approximately 225 percent, soybeans increased 147 percent and wheat increased 191 percent.